Total Suspended Solids, Stable Flow, and Wet Weather Event Monitoring in the Unnamed Tributary to the Grand River Watershed December 2004 The Cadmus Group, Inc. Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute Submitted to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Under Task Order 2004-09 Contract No. 68-C8-0010
Table of Contents List of Figures... ii List of Tables... ii 1. Introduction... 1 2. Monitoring Locations and Watershed Description for The Unnamed Tributary... 1 3. Sampling Methods... 1 4. Analytical Methods... 4 5. Unnamed Tributary Base Flow Data 2004... 4 6. Unnamed Tributary Storm Event Data 2004... 4 7. Deviations from the Quality Assurance Project Plan... 4 Appendix 1 Unnamed Tributary Watershed Survey Forms for Monitoring Stations 2004... 9 Appendix 2 Unnamed Tributary Watershed Monitoring Station and Stormwater Outfall Pictures 2004... 14 i
List of Figures Figure 2.1 Unnamed Tributary Watershed.... 2 List of Tables Table 2.1 Unnamed Tributary Land Use and Cover Statistics.... 3 Table 2.2 Unnamed Tributary Monitoring Stations, Stormwater Outfall, and Coordinates.... 3 Table 5.1 Base Flow TSS Loading Data for Unnamed Tributary 2004.... 5 Table 6.1 Unnamed Tributary TSS Loading Data for the 0.1 Inch Rain Event on 8/25/04... 6 Table 6.2 Unnamed Tributary TSS Loading Data for the 1.1 Inch Rain Event on 8/2/04... 7 Table 6.3 Unnamed Tributary TSS Loading Data for the1.4 Inch Rain Event on 10/23/04... 8 ii
1. Introduction An investigation of streams in west Michigan was conducted to monitor the loading of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and fluctuations in hydrology. The study sites were located in the lower Grand River watershed and included: Bass River, Sand Creek, Strawberry/Mill Creek, York Creek and an unnamed tributary north of Leonard Street and east of East Beltline (M-44). Each of these watersheds is a tributary to the Grand River and is included on Michigan s 2002 303(d) list as requiring a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) because they were identified as not supporting the designated use for biota. The primary causes are related to excess TSS and extraordinarily flashy flow regimes due to agricultural and/or urban runoff/washoff related events. The data for each watershed are summarized in individual reports. This report examines the discharge and loading of TSS at 2 locations in the Unnamed Tributary under base flow (dry conditions) and during storm events. The data from this project will be used to develop a Biota TMDL for the Unnamed Tributary watershed. 2. Monitoring Locations and Watershed Description for The Unnamed Tributary to the Grand River The unnamed tributary has a 1220 acre watershed located in Kent Count (Figure 2.1). Land use in the watershed is primarily residential (39%), forest and fields (36%), and commercial (14%). A summary of land use/and cover statistics is presented in Table 2.1. Stormwater discharge outfalls were inventoried and two stream locations were selected for flow and TSS monitoring (Figure 2.1). Descriptions and coordinates for the stormwater outfalls and monitoring stations are provided in Table 2.2. Data for the standard Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDEQ) Steam Survey Form were collected at each monitoring station. The Steam Survey Forms are included in Appendix 1. Photographs of each monitoring station and stormwater location were taken and included in Appendix 2. 3. Sampling Methods Dry weather sampling was conducted on 6/28/04, 7/14/04, and 7/28/04. One grab sample was collected from each station. Dry weather sampling was preceded by at least 72 hours without precipitation as measured at the Grand Rapids Airport. Wet weather sampling was conducted on 8/25/04, 8/02/04, and 10/23/04. The wet weather runoff events were in response to precipitation events of 0.1, 1.1 and 1.4 inches that occurred in a 2 hour period. Sampling was initiated near the start of each rain event. Single grab samples were collected manually every hour during the rise and fall of the hydrograph. Typical wet weather sampling events lasted from 4-6 hrs. TSS samples for wet and dry conditions were collected at the centroid of each transect where approximately 50% of cumulative flow occurs. Samples were collected by immersing a 500 ml polyethylene bottle at mid depth. The sample containers were placed in coolers 1
Figure 2.1 Unnamed Tributary Watershed. 2
Table 2.1 Unnamed Tributary Land Use and Cover Statistics. Map Description Acres % Commercial/Institutional 170 13.9 Coniferous Forest 12 1.0 Deciduous Forest 346 28.4 Grasses and Forbs - Open Field 74 6.1 Orchards and Other Specialty Crop 6 0.5 Other Developed Area 105 8.7 Residential 479 39.3 Shrub Open Field 4 0.3 Water 20 1.7 Total 1220 100.0 Table 2.2 Unnamed Tributary Monitoring Stations, Stormwater Outfall, and Coordinates. Description and GPS Coordinates Type Location Site ID Lat. (N) Long. (W) Monitoring Grand River Drive (Downstream) UT-1 42.9942-85.5458 Monitoring Winterwood Avenue (Upstream) UT-2 42.9898-85.5688 Stormwater Retention Pond at Eagle Park Drive SW-6 42.9884-85.5875 with ice and kept at 4 o C. One field blank sample was collected for every 20 investigative samples. One duplicate sample was collected for every 10 investigative samples. Flow was measured at each location using a Marsh-McBirney Flow Mate 2000 velocity meter or flume according to United States Geological Survey protocols. Transects were established at each location and water depth measurements were collected using a selfleveling rod. The location of each transect was marked by stakes. If the velocity meter was used, 4 12 equally spaced points along each transect were used for depth and flow measurements. Transect locations were selected to minimize interferences from structural anomalies such as debris jams, bridges, and highly eroded areas. Flow measurements were collected during each wet and dry event weather sampling event at 0.6 depth for each transect point. If stream velocity was too slow to accurately measure (<0.05 cubic feet/second), a calibrated flume was installed in the channel. Discharge was then estimated by measuring the water level and using the rating curve for the flume. 3
4. Analytical Methods Total Suspended Solids was measured gravimetrically by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 160.2. A complete method description was provided in the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). One laboratory blank and one laboratory duplicate were analyzed for every ten investigative samples. 5. Unnamed Tributary Base Flow Data 2004 Base flow and TSS loading data for the Unnamed Tributary watershed are summarized in Table 5.1. 6. Unnamed Tributary Storm Event Data 2004 Storm flow and TSS loading data for the Unnamed Tributary watershed are summarized in Tables 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 for the 0.1, 1.1, and 1.4 inch rainfall events, respectively. Mean TSS concentrations for each storm event were calculated by dividing the sum of the hourly TSS loads by the sum of the hourly volumetric discharge. Mean TSS concentrations are summarized below: Station Mean TSS Concentration (mg/l) 0.1 Inch 1.1 Inch 1.3 Inch 8/25/2004 8/2/2004 10/23/2004 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 18 190 390 UT-2 Winter Wood Drive No Flow 394 300 7. Deviations from the Quality Assurance Project Plan Some of the field and laboratory duplicates with low suspended solids (<10 mg/l) exceeded the RPD limits. The difference between duplicates ranged from 1-3 mg/l. The small relative difference between duplicates reflects normal variations associated with sampling and analysis at low concentration levels. Based on professional judgment, the data was not qualified. The results of field and laboratory duplicates and blanks were submitted in a separate Quality Assurance report. 4
Table 5.1 Base Flow TSS Loading Data for the Unnamed Tributary 2004. Site ID: Name Discharge Discharge TSS Loading Surface m 3 / sec cfs mg/l lb/d ft Method July 1, 2004 UT-1 Grand River Ave 0.07 2.47 7 93 2.48 Flow Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive off Leonard St NE 0.0005 0.02 2 0.2 5.31 Flume July 14, 2004 UT-1 Grand River Ave 0.06 2.12 4 46 2.48 Flow Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive off Leonard St NE DRY DRY X X DRY X July 27, 2004 UT-1 Grand River Ave 0.07 2.47 8 106 2.44 Flow Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive off Leonard St NE DRY DRY X X DRY X 5
Table 6.1 Unnamed Tributary TSS Loading Data for the 0.1 Inch Rain Event on 8/25/04 Site ID: Name Discharge Discharge TSS Loading Loading Surface Method m 3 / sec cfs mg/l lb/d lb/hr ft 16:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.07 2.47 9 120 5.0 2.49 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X 17:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.07 2.47 19 253 10.5 2.46 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X 18:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.08 2.82 20 304 12.7 2.42 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X 19:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.08 2.82 23 350 14.6 2.46 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X 20:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.07 2.47 16 213 8.9 2.46 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X 6
Table 6.2 Unnamed Tributary TSS Loading Data for the 1.1 Inch Rain Event on 8/2/04 Site ID: Name 5:00 Discharge Discharge TSS Loading Loading Surface Method m 3 / sec cfs mg/l lb/d lb/hr ft UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.07 2.47 4 53 2.2 2.48 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X X Flume 6:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.11 3.88 150 3136 131 2.32 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive Dry X X X X X Flume 7:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.13 4.59 375 9266 386 2.00 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.02 0.71 450 1711 71 X Flume 8:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.15 5.30 200 5702 238 2.46 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.03 1.06 375 2138 89 X Flume 9:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.14 4.94 175 4657 194 2.46 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.03 1.06 430 2452 102 X Flume 10:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.12 4.24 145 3307 138 2.46 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.01 0.35 240 456 19 X Flume 7
Table 6.3 Unnamed Tributary TSS Loading Data for the 1.4 Inch Rain Event on 10/23/04 Site ID: Name Discharge Discharge TSS Loading Loading Surface Method m 3 / sec cfs mg/l lb/d lb/hr ft 6:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.09 3.18 10 171 7.1 2.38 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.01 0.35 14 27 1 X Flume 7:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.13 4.59 249 6153 256 2.05 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.03 1.06 410 2338 97 X Flume 8:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.18 6.36 560 19160 798 1.96 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.04 1.41 340 2585 108 X Flume 9:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.22 7.77 600 25091 1045 1.87 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.06 2.12 320 3650 152 X Meter 10:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.18 6.36 443 15157 632 1.90 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.07 2.47 298 3965 165 X Meter 11:00 UT-1 Grand River Avenue 0.16 5.65 184 5596 233 2.00 Meter UT-2 Winter Wood Drive 0.05 1.77 240 2281 95 X Meter 8
Appendix 1 Unnamed Tributary Watershed Survey Forms for Monitoring Stations 2004 9
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Appendix 2 Unnamed Tributary Watershed Monitoring Station and Stormwater Outfall Pictures 2004 14
UT-1 Downstream 15
UT-1 Culvert 16
UT-2 Upstream 17
UT-2 Culvert 18
SW-6 Retention Pond at Eagle Park Drive 19